At nine, I spent several weeks in the hospital and several months isolated from my school friends, forbidden by the doctors to do any thing that ran the risk of being bumped or jostled. And at nine, just about everything you want to do involves the potential for bumping and jostling. I survived – in part thanks to Super Mario Brothers 3 – and managed to return to my previous life of running and jumping without too much trouble. Now, I sometimes forget those months. I forget that when we are well our bodies can be our tools – even surprise us with a seemingly limitless ability to strengthen and improve – and when we are not well our bodies can be more like anchors – holding us back.

Today, my thoughts are with all those who, for whatever reason, cannot get out and do.